WGA Notifications 1.8.0031.0 Silent Update Adds Black Desktop and Static Watermark Nagware to Windows XP
Microsoft has released a new version of WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) Notifications for Windows XP that includes several important changes, and marks Microsoft departure from low-key anti-piracy effort in WGA after receiving too much complaint. WGA Notifications version 1.8.0031.0, released since August 26th, 2008, makes the notification of bogus non-genuine or pirated Windows operating system is now more prominent, and able to skip future notification of impending update on the tool.
WGA Notifications is a second component of Microsoft genuine initiative that provides that warning messages and other on-screen prompts when WGA Validations (see information about WGA), detects a non-activated, failed-validation or pirated operating system. The update v1.8.0031.0, which has been specifically targeted to Windows XP, especially Windows XP Professional, the most pirated version of Wndows OS, will bring the “non-genuine experience” of Windows XP inline with WGA software changes made in Windows Vista SP1.
Other than increase the effectiveness of the detection routine and reduce the risks of false-positives, the most important change is on the nagware, as according to Windows Genuine Advantage blog:
With this update to WGA Notifications in Windows XP, we’ve implemented a couple of related features that draw on the notifications experience we designed for Windows Vista SP1. After installing this version of WGA Notifications on a copy of Windows XP that fails the validation, most users will discover on their next logon that their desktop has changed to a plain black background from whatever was there previously.
The desktop background can be reset to anything else in the usual ways, but every 60 minutes it will change back to the plain black background. This will continue to happen until that copy of Windows is genuine.
Also, the user will see the addition of what we call the “persistent desktop notification.” This notification is similar to a watermark but works a bit differently. The image (see below) appears over the system tray and is non-interactive in the sense that you can’t click on it or do anything to it.
The notification is, however, translucent and also can be clicked through and objects underneath it can be interacted with. In the screenshot here you can see (below) that the Recycle Bin appears underneath our logo. In this case, the Recycle Bin can be selected and moved about or right-clicked. The notification appears above any object on the desktop, but underneath open windows or applications. One of the reasons we’ve implemented the plain black background is to emphasize this new persistent desktop notification. As with the plain black background, the notification will continue to appear until that copy of Windows is genuine.
All the annoyances are on top of existing nag pre-logon message, the logon interrupt message and the bubble notification messages that appear from the system tray (notification area). Worse still, Microsoft has decided to present a modified EULA (End User License Agreement) that forces user to agree to allow WGA Notifications and Validation Tool to auto-update and install themselves silently without further notice whenever new versions are released in future, on laughable reason to make the process simpler for end-users. Previously, all WGA related programs will be installed via wizard, which users can safely canceled.
Microsoft plans to roll out the new WGA Notifications ver. 1.8.0031.0 and its successors to Windows XP Pro, and initially also editions based on Pro code such as Tablet and Windows Media Center (which will be bypassed in future too) only. Windows XP Home (and Windows XP Table Edition and Media Center Edition (MCE) in future) will continue to experience current WGA nags.
WGA Notifications 1.8.0031.0 is delivered via Windows Update in phase starting from Wednesday, and the distribution may takes several months to complete. For users who can’t wait and want to get the ‘new experience’, a standalone version of installation file, WindowsXP-KB905474-ENU-x86.exe, has always available via Microsoft Download Center too. Surprisingly, no genuine Windows validation required to download the WindowsXP-KB905474-ENU-x86-Standalone.exe, or WindowsXP-KB905474-ENU-x86.exe.
And, for users who have been troubled with non-genuine status and annoyed by the notifications, hackers have cracked this version of WGA Validation and Notifications.
Related Articles
- Windows Vista SP1 New Black Desktop Anti-Piracy Experience
- Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation Notifications KB905474 1.8.31.9 Crack
- Tweak and Configure How Notifications Work in Windows Mobile Notifications
- Windows Genuine Advantage Validation and Notifications 1.9.40.0 (WGA Patch Crack)
- Updated WGA Notifications To Crack Down Pirated Windows XP Professional
- Crack for Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB905474) 1.7.17.0
- Hack to Hide and Remove Vista SP1 RC Preview v.258 Evaluation Watermark on Desktop
- Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop
- Crack and Patch to Bypass and Disable WGA Genuine Windows Validation and Notifications version 1.5.554.0
- Remove Windows 7 Watermark (For Testing Purposes Only, Evaluation Copy & Test Mode on Desktop)
Entries (RSS)
April 3rd, 2009 01:49
[...] many attempt to stop counterfeiting and piracy of Windows operating system including WGA push to Windows Vista, especially the hugely popular Windows XP [...]
February 27th, 2009 13:22
[...] 1.8.31.0 (or version 1.8.0031.0), which generates lots of buzz on news network lately due to new notification methods implemented in WGA v1.8.31.0 for Windows XP. And, as usual with all previous versions of WGA releases, hackers managed to crack [...]
October 2nd, 2008 03:23
[...] components carries the same change introduced by Microsoft since WGA version 1.8.31.0, that is the new anti-piracy experience for non-genuine Windows user with blackout or blank desktop background with persistent watermark on [...]
September 15th, 2008 23:23
If IE is your default browser you can use MgaBlinder or IeBlinder to bypass office problems.
September 10th, 2008 23:15
I’ve genuine windows, but its office that’s the problem, static nagware tells me ‘validate windows’ what do I do?
September 6th, 2008 09:50
[...] 1.8.31.0 (1.8.0031.0) on 26th August 2008 1.7.69.2 (1.7.0069.2) on 18th March 2008 in Vista and 1st April 2008 in XP 1.7.69.1 (1.7.0069.1) on 21st March 2008 1.7.59.1 (1.7.0059.1) on 18th October 2007 1.7.59.0 (1.7.0059.0) on 7th October 2007 1.7.0036.0 (1.7.36.0) on May 2007 1.7.0018.7 (1.7.18.7) 1.7.0018.5 (1.7.18.5) on 21st March 2007 1.7.0018.1 (1.7.18.1) on 28th February 2007 (Download link – Improved setup, user interface and user assistance.) 1.7.0017.0 (1.7.17.0) on 16th February 2007 1.5.723.1 on December 2006 1.5.722.0 on 7th December 2006 (Download the LegitCheckControl.cab from here or go to validate Windows to install the ActivaX.) 1.5.716.0 on 31 October 2006 (previously released via Genuine Microsoft Software page, and click on Validate Now button. It’s possible that this version is released by other events such as when downloading from Microsoft. Only LegitCheckControl.dll is updated. Thanks to Sari.) 1.5.708.0 on September 2006 (distribute to whoever wants to download from Microsoft Download Center. Only LegitCheckControl.dll is updated.) 1.5.560.0 on 27th November 2006 (KB905474 Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications direct download link location – Enhanced features: Improved Setup with a new installation wizard that provides an overview of the tool, shows validation results immediately at the end of the installation process, and requires no reboot. Redesigned User Interface on system tray notifications to more visually appealing with clear links to full details of each message and further options for resolving any problems. Improved User Assistance with improved messaging for users who are unable to complete validation, along with links to more and better self-help tools.) 1.5.554.0 on September 2006 (direct download link URL) 1.5.540.0 on 28th June 2006 (direct download link URL) 1.5.532.2 on 6th June 2006 (direct download link URL) 1.5.532.0 on 30th May 2006 1.5.530.0 on 23rd May 2006 1.5.526.0 on 26th April 2006 [...]
August 31st, 2008 03:48
[...] time to turn off Automatic Updates in your XP Pro system. Otherwise, Microsoft could just make it a silent update without user knowledge or concurrence like they’ve done before. Don’t believe the [...]
August 30th, 2008 17:00
Hi again,
It is really easy to erase everything that makes this update. I mean, I no longer have the watermark, for instance. Anyway, I would like to have it hacked, and yes, I was cheated by a seller who was supposed to give me a license but I no longer have any papers to prove and I am nos willing to pay again for my windows.
I am nos trying to cheat microsoft.
August 30th, 2008 16:36
Hi everyone,
Will you post the hack when it is released?
Thanks.
August 29th, 2008 02:30
This sort of “update” does not roll out world-wide in the same way as the monthly updates. Which means you might or might not be offered it yet depending on which MS server you connect to, and possibly also which country you are in. Also, in the past, there have been occasions where the latest wga was not offered straight away to people who already had a very recent version installed.
I think you will find that when you do connect to a server that does offer it, it is the sort of “update” which is offered before you get to the express/custom option screen, and that you cannot get to that screen at all without first upgrading the wga.
August 28th, 2008 18:41
1) I owe a genuine XP SP3 and get WGA version 1.7.69.2 installed.
2) I ran Automatic Update a few minutes ago and selected “customs settings”.
3) MS does not suggest downloading any updated version of the tool !
Any explanation ?
August 28th, 2008 05:57
Great idea for the next version: the “persistent desktop notification” is in fact a link to the “buy Vista” page, and of course, your credit card number has been memorized and is automatically pasted in the field! Just click BUY! NOW!
(Firefox compatible!)